The Standlake Birder -

                    Ferruginous Pygmy Owl Our home for the next two nights was the amazing Arenal Observatory lodge in the shadow of the imposing Arenal volcano. The volcano was dormant  for hundreds of years until 1968 when it erupted unexpectedly, destroying the small town of Tabacón tragically killing 87 people. Thankfully it has been dormant since the last eruption in October 2010. The area surrounding Arenal Volcano in Costa Rica is characterized by a humid and cloudy climate, influenced by its tropical location and varying elevations. The only occasion in two days when the Volcano was not obscured by clouds! The dawn chorus was a rather unusual one, Howler Monkeys doing exactly what is says on the tin.  Our first morning started with the usual coffee taken on the viewing balcony overlooking the volcano. Just after first light the feeders became very active keeping us all engrossed until our  communal breakf...